Olivia can see her reliving the experience, as she replies, "Sweetie, you did the right thing calling me. I want you to know that. Whenever you need anything; I am here for you. We both are." Fitz responds, "She's right Karebear, no matter what's going on. You can always call either one of us for help. And we won't ever be angry you called us." Karen nods, as she wipes tears from her eyes and says, "I was so scared." Olivia reaches out to her and holds her, as Fitz walks over to the other side of her and rubs her back.
They both comfort her, and allow her time to get out her tears. When her emotions settle; Fitz hands her Kleenex and she dries her eyes. With her now more stable, Fitz says, "Sweetheart, what you experienced was rough. And it's something nobody should ever go through. But I also need you to understand how dangerous that situation was, and how preventable it was too." Karen responds, "I know daddy, I'm sorry."
He sees the remorse in her eyes, but he wouldn't be doing his job as her father if he stopped there. So he says, "I know you're sorry Karen. That's appropriate for the situation. But what's not appropriate is you being without your detail in the first place." Karen replies, "But daddy, mom said I could go without my security."
Understanding her point, but feeling like she's missing his, and not wanting to lose his cool with her. Olivia chimes in as she says, "Karen, we know your mother approved you going without your detail. But you're a smart young lady. And you know as well as we do; you wanted to be without your detail because you were doing something you knew was wrong. It's that action of deceit on your part that's an even bigger issue than you being without your security."
Karen replies, "So you're blaming me for this?" Fitz quickly says, "No. Of course not. We're saying you need to take responsibility for your part in this situation." Karen responds, "But I did act responsibly, I called Liv as soon as I knew things had gone awry." Fitz says, "Yes, but honey you should've never been in that situation in the first place. And you wouldn't have been if you didn't go without your security team."
They see her in thought, and as she thinks Olivia says, "Karen we want you to make better choices honey. That's all we're saying. We know that the security cramps your style. I think we all would love to lose them. But, at the same time we know that the responsible thing to do is allow them to be there to protect us. Your father only has a year and a half left in office, and after that you'll be free to live your life without agents if you like; because you'll be 18. So just do us a favor and let the security protect you, even if it's not convenient. Okay?"
Despite her initial resistance, Karen hears Olivia's words and realizes what she's saying along with her father is true. She really does have to make better choices. It was her choice to go to the hotel with Ericka and her choice to leave her detail behind. After mulling it over she takes a breath, nods and says, "Okay Liv. I'll do better." Olivia smiles at her and says, "I know you will. I believe in you." They share a hug, and Fitz releases a breath he didn't know he was holding. He didn't see this ending as well as it did.
When their embrace ends, Karen turns to her father and says, "Thank you daddy. I love you." He hugs his little girl and says, "You're welcome honey. But I'm not sure what you're thanking me for." Their embrace breaks and she says, "Thank you for loving me even though I do dumb stuff." He smiles at her as he says, "Karebear, I will love you always. There's nothing you could do to ever change that. Do you understand?" She nods as she says, "Yes." They hug again, and he kisses her on the cheek. Olivia smiles at him as he loves on his little girl.
When their hug ends, she says, "So can I go see Ericka?" Fitz responds, "Yes. You can. But I think you should still wait and talk to your mother first." Karen's facial expression changes again, as she says, "What? Why do I have to talk to her?" Fitz replies, "Because she's your mother Karen, and despite her playing a part in this caper. She was worried about you, and you owe her an apology for deceiving her about your plans."
Karen sees the look on her father's face and despite her dislike for his logic. She knows that pushing him when he's sporting his fatherly stare is futile. So she responds, "Fine. Do I need to call her?" Suddenly, Mark walks into the dining room and says, "Sir, Mrs. Grant is coming through the gates." Karen replies, "Oh god. She's here."
Olivia wanted to laugh because it's exactly how she feels, hearing Mellie is on the premises. But she manages to keep a straight face as she backs up Fitz. And she says, "Come on Karen. You know talking to your mother about this is a part of the deal. We told you she was coming over. So don't give your father a hard time on this. Just do it and get it over with." Fitz appreciates the back up, and says, "It will be a few minutes at the most Kare, and then you can go see Ericka."
Karen responds, "Okay. I'll talk to her. I just don't know what she wants me to say." Olivia replies, "Just be the polite, sweet, good natured child that your father raised you to be." They all share a smile and Olivia and Karen embrace. Their embrace ends as Mellie walks in hotter than fire.
Just seeing Olivia and Karen hugging, seems to push her over the edge. If she wasn't already heading there already. Hoping she'd calmed down since the last time they spoke, despite Fitz hanging up on her when she was stuck in New Hampshire. He couldn't be more wrong. Despite him making it clear via text that he wanted her to come over to talk with Karen about the incident. She takes this opportunity to make the situation about herself and her feelings.
As she says, "Well, well, well, slipping into the mother hen role quite easily it appears, huh Liv." They all look at Mellie, and Fitz immediately says, "Liv and Karen, why don't you two go have a seat in the living room; while Mellie and I chat."
Hearing his tone, alerts all of them. But Karen and Olivia don't hesitate to leave the room. Leaving Mellie to fin for herself. As soon as he's sure they're out of ear shot; he looks at Mellie, and while she tries to look calm. She's feeling nervous.
He faces her and says, "You know. You have a lot of fucking nerve strolling into this house, trying to shame Liv for being what you've never been to our kids." Mellie's nervousness pauses as she scoffs, "Oh my God. No you're not defending your whore, to me and claiming her to be a better mother than I am to our children! I won't stand for that Fitzgerald!"
Fitz angrily says, "Damn you Mellie! You will not address the woman I love, the woman our daughter called when she needed help the most as a whore. You will show her some respect Mellie, and I won't ask you again. Because the last time I checked; there's nothing more whorish than being caught on your knees servicing another man, with your kids down the fucking hallway!"
Mellie bitterly yells, "Go to hell damn you!" Fitz responds, "Being married to you for 25 years. Trust me, I've already been there. And I'm not going back. Now, you listen to me. And listen good. Regardless of what you think of Liv. She's done everything possible to encourage Karen to talk to you. To let you be her mother. And the thanks she gets is you trying to trash her in front of Karen and beyond. In the past I've sat by and listened to you go after Liv in my presence. Something, I regret to this day. But I will be dammed if I let you continue this ridiculous, childish name calling bullshit any longer, especially not in front of the kids. And if you can't meet that requirement. Then I suggest you leave now. Because that's a rule I'm not budging on. Do you understand?"
Fueled with anger, she replies, "I'm not a fucking child Fitzgerald. You will not talk to me this way!" Fitz responds, "You're right. You're not a child. But you are acting like one. So try growing the fuck up and get the stick out of your ass. About me thwarting your plan to ruin our Christmas holiday, by crashing our weekend." Mellie replies, "Screw you and your holiday, with your make shift family. Did you sit around and tell stories about how you hid assets from me in the divorce? I'm sure you all got a big laugh out of that!"
To both of their surprises Olivia's voice rings out as she says, "That's a good one. But if you're going to tell a story; I say at least tell the truth. I like the one about the ambitious debutant. Who 25 years ago allowed herself to be sold by her father as a political wife, in an effort to spring board her own political career, and increase his business revenues. While in the interim she goes on to carry on an affair with the purchaser, who happens to be the father in law of her political husband. Only claiming he raped her, to avoid the embarrassment of being pregnant, and not know which Grant was the father of the unborn child. It's a doozy, don't you think?"
Angrier than a bunch of hornets attacking prey, Mellie walks toward Olivia as if she's about to take a swing at her, and Fitz steps between them, as she says, "You bitch, I oughta…!" Olivia replies, "You oughta stop right where you are, before you find yourself needing medical attention. And I need bail money!" The look on Olivia's face, in conjunction with her words stop Mellie cold.
Even Fitz looks at Olivia differently in the moment. Her voice, her demeanor. It's all new to him. Mellie is also taken aback swallows hard, and Olivia sees fear creep into her eyes and says, "Now, you hear this Mellie. What's about to happen next. Is you're going to go visit with your daughter, who's waiting to speak with you. And you're going to show her nothing but love and respect, as she shares her feelings. Then, when all is said and done; you're going to get the fuck out of this house!"
Mellie replies, "Excuse me?" Olivia responds, "You heard me! This is a new day Mellie. And I need you to accept the fact that nobody is going to listen to your delusional ass, singing a bullshit sad song about your fake ass marriage being wrecked. When we both know your marriage was long over before I showed up, and to be honest before the damn vows were exchanged. Given your inappropriate relations with Big Gerry before and after the wedding! Ergo, that ship has sailed, and everybody knows it. So get the fuck over it, and move on. God knows we all have."